Refrigerating apparatus



Feb. 1a, 1936. J, R; FEHR Re. 19,858

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS 7 Original Filed March 31, 1928 MOTOR VEHICLE Reisaued Feb. 18 1936 19,858 nnrmcnna'rme Arraaa'ms John Ralph Fehr, Dayton, Ohio, assignor, by

mesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation; a corporation of Delaware Original No. 1,785,860. dated December 2-3, 1930",

Serial No. 266,288, March 31, 1928. Application for reissue June 28, 1935, Serial No. 28,982

16 Claims. (01. 62117) This invention relates to. refrigerating apparatus and particularly to refrigerating apparatus operated by motor vehicles.

. One of the objects of the invention is to provide a 5 a refrigerated motor vehicle with convenient and economical means for supplying refrigeration at v all times.

More specifically itis an object of the invention to provide a refrigerating apparatus for refrigerating a motor vehicle which may be driven either from power available on the motor vehicle or from an independent source of power.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for controlling refrigerating apparatus of the above described character whereby the operation of theapparatus from one source of power. prevents it from being connected to another source of power. 7 Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawing. wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown. The single figure of the drawing indicates diagrammatically a refrigerating system in connection with a motor vehicle constructed in accordance with my invention.

Referring to the drawing Ill designates any suitable motor vehicle which maybe operated by a motor II, which includes the usual accessory shaft l4,v and isprovided with the usual cranking motor IS. -The cranking motor is provided with theusual manually operated switch It which v closes a. circuit I! from a battery I8 through the starting motor to ground. The motor is also provided with the usual ignition circuit diagrammatically represented as including a circuitbreaker 20, low tension coil 2|, and ignition switch 22, all connected in series between the hat- 4 tery main l8 and ground, together with a high tension coil 28, distributor 24 and spark plugs 25.

Thus the motor on the vehicle may be started by an operator whenever desired.

The vehicle carries a refrigerating system dia grammatically representedas including a compressor mounted on the motor frame. a condenser ii and an evaporator 32 disposed within an insulated compartment on the vehicle diagrammatically represented by 34. The particular construction of the apparatus so far described means of. a clutch 31 herein represented as of the magnetic type. The compressor crankcase'may contain any desired gearing (not shown) for effecting the desired speed ratio between the vehicle motor and compressor. Preferably an "5 overrunning or slipping clutch 38 is provided for insuring a substantially constant compressor speed in spite of variation in the speed of the vehicle motor. An electric motor 40 is attached to the compressor crankcase on the side opposite in the clutch 38. Disposed in alignment with the motor 40 and driven by the motor is a blower 4!.

' herein represented as of the centrifugal type for such that an automatic instrument responsive-to 4-26 refrigeration demands controls the fiow of eleca tric energy from an electrical source such as battery It on said vehicle to the motor II and causes the motor II to start and stop automatically in .response to the refrigeration demands as long as 30 the operator does not himself wish to control the operation of the motor or until he connects the motor 40 with an independent source of electrical energy such as an electric outlet connected to an external source of power, the electric outlet being 1 located at a place where the vehicle is to stand idle for some time.

The arrangement may also include provisions whereby the fiow of energy between the battery I! and the motor I I is automatically con- 49 ltrolled so that when the motor 40 is connected to the independent source of power electric anmy cases to flow from the battery 18 to the motor II and thus renders the motor i'l temporarily inoperative'as a source of power for the u compressor II. In addition the arrangement is preferably such that the operation of the motor I 40 is made responsive to-refrigeration demands and the flow of electric energy thereto is therefore automatically controlled to modify the oper: 0

ation of the motor 40 in response-to such demands. Thus a. thermostat is provided'for actuating the compressor in response to the demand of the evaporator andihcludes a bulb 4.4 disposed at any suitable point within the ten-lg,

to-- a metal bellows 46. The metal bellows thus contracts and expands in response to the temperature existing within the compartment 24 and actuates a snap switch 52 by means of the lever 53. The switch is provided with an insulating rod 55 carrying contact blades 56, 51, i8, and I, all of which are elevated to the position shown in the drawing when the bellows collapses in response to low temperature within the compartmeat 34 and which are lowered to close their respective' circuits whenever the bellows expands in response to a high temperature. The contact blade 58, when closed, may complete the ignition circuit from the low tension coil 2l to ground in parallel with the ignition switch 22 through the switch a. The contact blade 51, when closed,

may connect the battery main l8 through the switch 51a to the wire 60 which is connected to the governor switch 6|, to be described below, which governor switch may connect the wire 60 to the wire 62, thus completing the circuit to the cranking motor IS. The contact blade 58, when closed, may connect the battery main I8 through the switch 58a to the wire 63 which also leads to the governor switch BI, and which may be connected by the governor switch through the wire 64 to the magnetic clutch 31, the other terminal of which is grounded on the motor vehicle frame. The accessory shaft I4 is provided with any suitable governor 65 which operates the switch 6|. When the motor is idle, the switch 6| connects wires 60 and 62 in the cranking motor circuit and breaks the connection between the wires 83 and 64 in the magnetic clutch circuit. when the vehicle motor is nmning, the switch 6| breaks the connection between wires 60 and 62 in the cranking motor circuit and establishes connection betweenwires 62 and 64 in the magnetic clutch circuit. Thus electric energy is supplied to the motor I I and its operation is made dependent on refrigeration demands.

The motor I may be supplied with current through leads Ill and II which are adapted to receive current from any suitable source of external power 12, for example the electric power system of a garage. The lead ll may be connected to wire 12, forming one terminal of a detachable connector plug 13, by means of switch blade 59 carried on the rod 55 forming part of the switch '2. v A solenoid I9 is connected in the wire II and is provided with a plunger 80 to which is attached a rod 8| which in. turn is connected to the switch blades 56a, 51a, and 58a, previously described. The flow of electric energy from the battery IE to the motor ll isstopped when the connector II connects motor with the outside source of electricity and the thermostat takes control of the motor 40.

The system operates as follows. Whenever it is desired to operate the vehicle motor the ignition switch. 22 is closed and the manually operated switch I6 is closed to operate the starting motor I! until the vehicle motor becomes selfoperative, in the usual manner.

When the temperature within the compartment 2] rises to the point where refrigeration is required, the switch 52 is closed, and whenever the temperature is lowered to the point where refrigeration is not required this switch is opened.

Assuming that the plug 13 is disconnected and that the vehicle motor is not operating and is not being manually controlled by the operator when the switch-52 is closed, the governor switch now completes the ignition circuit.

is in the position indicated in full lines, completing contact between the wires 60 and 62. Because the plug I3 is disconnected, the solenoid I8 is deenergized and all of the switch contacts 560, 51a, and 580 are closed. The contact 56 The governor switch 6! is in the full line position and connects wires 60 and 62. The contact 51 "completes the circuit to the cranking motor which thereupon cranks the vehicle motor until the latter becomes self-operative. When this occurs the governor switch moves from the full line to the dotted line position, breaking contact between wires 60 and 62, thus interrupting the cranking .motor circuit and establishing contact between wires 63 and 64, thus completing the circuit to the magnetic clutch 31 since the contact 58 has already been closed. The compressor is now operated from the vehicle motor until the refrigeration: demand has been satisfied, at which time the switch 52 will be opened, breaking the ignition circuit and stopping the vehicle motor, unless in the meantime the switch 22 has been closed by hand to prevent stopping of the motor when refrigeration demand ceases.

Ii the-vehicle motor should be running when the automatic switch 52 closes, the governor switch 6| will be in the dotted line position as above described, and the contact 58 will therefrom an independent source of power, for ex- U ample when the vehicle is parked over night in a garage, the plugs 13 are connected to a source of power. Thereafter whenever the automatic switch 52 closes in response to a refrigerating demand, the contact 59 will close to energize the circuit of the motor 40. As soon the contact 59 closes, the solenoid 19 opens the switches 56a, 51a. and 580, and stops the flow of electric energy from battery It to motor ll, so that none of the vehicle motor control circuits can be operated. The switch 52 is so designed-that the contact 59 will close before any of the contacts 58, II, or 58. The compressor is disconnected from the vehicle motor because the magnetic clutch 21 is deenergized. The motor 40 will then continue to operate the compressor until the refrigerating demand has been satisfied, at which time the automatic switch 52 will interrupt its power circuit scribed system provides meansi'or insuring operation of the compressor from the vehicle motor at all times, whether the vehicle be in operation or idle, and that the operation of the refrigerating system is entirely automatic in response to refrigeration demand. v

While the form of embodiment of theinvention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow. a

What is claimed is as follows:

1. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a motor vehicle, a motor for driving the vehicle, a refrigerating system carried by the vehicle and including a compressor, means for mechanically-connecting the compressor to the vehicle motor, and means for operating the compressor from a'source of energyindependent of the vehicle.

2:. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a motor vehicle, a motor for driving the vehicle, a refrigerating system carried by' the vehicle and including a compressor, means for I mechanically connecting the compressor to the vehicle motor, and an electric motor'for operating the compressor and adapted to be ener- 7 for preventing operation of the connecting means.

4. Refrigerating apparatus including in combination a motor vehicle, a refrigerating system carried by-the vehicle and including a compressor adapted to be operated by the vehicle motor, a control circuit forthe vehicle motor, means for automatically closing the control circuit in response to refrigerating demand, means for actuating the compressor from an external source of energy, and means responsive to the supply of energy from the external source for preventing closing of the control circuit.

5. Refrigerating apparatus including in combination a motor vehicle, a refrigerating system carried by the vehicle and including a compressor adapted to be operatedby the vehicle motor, an ignition circuit for the vehicle motor, means for automatically closing the ignition circuit in response to refrigerating demand, means for ac-.

tuating the compressor from an independent source of energy, and means responsive to the supply of energy from the independent source for preventing closing of the ignition circuit.

6. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a motor vehicle, a refrigerating system including a compressor adapted to be driven by the vehicle motor, means operated automatically in response to refrigerating demand for starting the vehicle motor, means for actuating the compressor from an independent source of energy, and means responsive to the supply of energy from the independent source for preventing operation of the starting means.

7. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a motor vehicle, a refrigerating system including a compressor, means for connecting the compressor to the vehicle motor in response to mentioned actuating means, a device for controlr means for actuating the compressor from the vehicle motor, means adapted to be operated from an independent source of energy for actuating the compressor, a control device for the firstling energy from the independent source, common means operated automatically in response to refrigerating demand for actuating both of said control devices and means for selectively rendering one of the compressor actuating means inoperative.

9. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, amotor vehicle, a refrigerating system including a compressor adapted to be driven by the vehicle motor, a battery, an electrical connection between said battery and motor, means operated automatically in response to refrigerating demand for starting the vehicle motor by 'con-' trolling saidelectrical connection, means for actuatlng the compressor from an independent source of energy, and means responsive to the supply of energy from an independent source for preventing operation of the starting means by modifying said electrical connection.

10. Refrigerating apparatus'comprising in com: bination, a motor vehicle having a vehicle motor the operation of which is dependent on the flow of electric energy from an electrical source on said vehicle, a refrigerating system including a compressor adapted to-be driven by the vehicle motor, an electrical connection between said electrical source and 'said vehicle motor, means operated automatically in response to refrigerating demands for starting the vehicle motor by controlling said electrical connection,

means including a second motor for actuating the compressor from an independent source of electrical energy outside said vehicle, a detachable connector for connecting said second motor to said independent source and means responsive to the supply of energy from the independent source when said connector is connected for preventing operation of the starting means bystopping the flow of electric energy from said electrical source on said vehicle to said first named motor.

11. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in com bination, a motor vehicle having a vehicle motor the operation of which is dependenton the now of electric energy from an electrical source on said vehicle, a refrigerating system including a compressor adapted to be driven by the vehicle motor, a compartment on said vehicle refrigerated by said refrigerating system, an electrical connection between said electrical source and motor, means including a thermostat responsive to conditions in said compartment and operated automatically in responseto refrigerating demand for starting the motor by controlling said electrical connection, means including a second means responsive to the supply of energy from the independent source when said connector is connected for preventing operation of the starting means by stopping the flow of electric energy from said electrical source on said vehicle to said first named motor.

12. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a motor vehicle having a vehicle motor the operation of which-is dependent on the flow of electric energy from an electrical source on said vehicle, a refrigerating sys-' tem including a compressor adapted to'be driven by the vehicle motor, a compartment on said vehicle refrigerated by said refrigerating system, an electrical connection between said electrical source and motor, means including a thermostat responsive to conditions in said compartment and operated automatically in response to refrigerating demands for starting "the motor by controlling said electrical connection, means including a second motor for actuating the compressor from an independent source of electrical energy outside said vehicle, a detachable connector for connecting said second motor to said independent source and means responsive to the supply of energy from the independent source when said connector is connected for preventing operation of the starting means by causing said thermostat to control the operation of said second motor.

l3. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a motor vehicle having a vehicle motor the operation of which is dependent on the flow of electric energy from' an electrical source on said vehicle, a refrigerating system including a compressor adapted to be driven by the vehicle motor, an electrical connection between said elec-' trlcal source and motor, means operated automatically in response to refrigerating demands for starting the motor by controlling said electrical connection, means including a second motor for actuating the compressor from an independent source of electrical energy outside said vehicle, a detachable connector for connecting said second motor to said independent source and means including a relay responsive to the supply of energy from the independent source when said connector is connected for preventing operation of the starting means by stopping the flow of electricenergy from said electrical source on said vehicle to said first named motor.

l4. Refrigerating apparatus including in combination, a motor vehicle, a refrigerating system carried by the vehicle and including a compres- '80! adapted to be operated by the vehicle motor, a control circuit for the vehicle motor, means'for automatically closing the control circuit in response to refrigerating demand, means including a second motor for actuating the compressor from an external source of electrical energy, a connector plug for connecting said second motor to said source oi electrical energy, and means responsive to the supply of energy from the external source when said second motor is connected to said external source for preventing closing of the control circuit; I

15. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a motor vehicle, a refrigerating system carried by the vehicle including a compressor, means for actuating'the compressor from the vehicle motor, means including a second motor adapted to be operated from an independent source of electrical energy for actuating the compressor, a control device for the first mentioned actuating means comprising a control for the first named motor, a device for controlling energy from the independent electrical source to the second motor, common means operated automatically in response to refrigerating demand for actuating both of said control devices and means for selectively rendering one of the'compressor actuating means inoperative by the connection of said second motor to said independent source of electrical energy.

16. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, a motor vehicle having a battery and a vehicle motor the operation of which is dependent on the flow of electric energy from said battery to said vehicle motor, a refrigerating system carried by the vehicle including a compressor, means for actuating the compressor from the vehicle motor, means including a second motor adapted to be operated from an independent source of electrical energy for actuating the compressor, a control device for the first mentioned actuating means comprising a circuit controller for controlling the flow of electric energy from said battery to said vehicle motor, a detachable connector" for connecting said second motor to said independent source, a device for controlling electrical energy from the independentsource when said connector is connected to said independent source,

' common means operated automatically in response to refrigerating demand for actuating both Y of said control devices and means for selectively rendering one of the compressor actuating means inoperative while said connectoris connected to said independent source.

JOHN RALPH 

